Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-02-26
THREATS OF THE BLACKS
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TEXAS
STORY COMING OUT.

Massacred-The Plea for Protection.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.-John ii. Rob-
erts whlte) was sworn and examined by
the Texas Investigating Committee this
morning. He described the condition of
affairs in Washington county previous to
the formation of the Peoples ticket. Not
single Republican had held money
office i'll the county since the war who had
not been accused of stealing the public
money. The witness is voter at
Graball. After the killing of Bolton
on election day last November
there was great excitement. On the Sun
day following the negroes collected at
Babley's church, two miles from Graball,
and were so much excited over the arrest
of their follows VINO were accused OF the
killing that they would not go into the
church, but remained outside caucusing
among themselves.
MASSACRE THREATENED.
They made threats that if arrested ne
groes were not released within a certain
time they would unite and massacre the
whites. The whites In the neighborhood
are outnumbered about six to one by the
blacks, and are completely at their mercy.
In consequence of these threats the whites
as secretary OF tne meeting. telegraphed
to the Sheriff at Brenham TO come with
fifty men to protect the whites. The
Sheriff came with seventeen or eighteen
men. The whites armed and organized
and rode out to meet the Sheriff. After
consultation they rode home.
REPUBLICAN RAsCALITY.
Hugh w. Lewis (white), J, a Democrat
and County Clerk of Washington county
for the last ten years, testified to the dis
satisfaction OF the people of the county
with the Republican administration, and
specified instances OF maladministratlOn
which contributed to the movement out
of which grew the peoples ticket two
years ago.
HACKWORTH'S BAD RECORD,
Hackworth, one of the memorialists,
was Justice OF the Peace, and the cOun-
ty record shows that he let contracts for
building bridges TO bis own father at eX-
the prices were cut down to
about 80 per cent. OF the contract
prices. The witness described
the contract let by Justice HackwoTth To
his father and brother-in-law as "Out-
rageOus." Hackworth was indicted six
| times Tor malfeasance and eXtortlon in
| office. The witness did not believe Hack
worth was driven from the county.
Senator Eustis put in evidence the in
dfctments and proceedings against Hack
worth. He was acquitted on one indict-
ment and the others were quashed.
BAD regulations.
Henry Mueller, a German Republican,
editor and publisher of German Repub.
llcan newspaper at Brenham, was eX.
amlned by Senator Eustis. He was a
Union soldier throughout the war, and is
drawing pension. He supported Blaine
during the last national canvass. He de-
scribed the condition of local affairs, and
in general way the acts of maladminis-
tratlon which gave rise to the fusion two
years ago. The regulations OF Hackworth
and Schuetze, memorlalists, were not
good.
REPUBLICANS NOT MoLEsTED.
The witness supported the State Repub-
lican ticket, but opposed the county
ticket. HackwOrth's political actions,
the witness thought, were bad. His con-
duct in office was such as to deprive him
OF the support of many Republicans, and
his standing was not good for solvency.
A Republican could vote and act with his
followers without molestatiOn in Wash
lngtOn county. The witness did not be-
lleVe the three memOrallsts were driven
from the county, and though bit they went
of their own free will. He said he had
not heard OF their being warned to leave.
POLITICAL VAMPIRES.
w. w. Seary. an attOrney-at-law, an
Chairman OF the Washington County
Democratic Executive Committee for the
last six years, testified that the peoples
ticket was formed for the purpose of rid
ding the taxpayers OF the thieves who had
lived there like vipers upon the taxpay-
Asa1 hot nNNn fnr fn.-l
The witness, with some excitement, emu
merated four instances of Republic
an mismanagement OF the county
revenues. The reputation OF the
memOrialists was not good in the county.
HackwOrth could live in Washington
county, but the witness said his reputa-
ton was such that he could get but little
business. IL was believed in the county
that Schuetze accepted bribes while
County Attorney. The only objection TO
Moore was the character of his speeches
social equality and the.like.
A BANKERS STORY.
+. A. Engelke, President OF the First
National Bank of Brenham, had ALWAYS
been a Republican in national politics,
| but supported the Peoples county ticket,
which was formed because OF the wasting
of the county revenues. The witness
knew of no reason why man should
leave the county simply because he was
"a Republican. He knew of no instance
| OF a mans personal or business relations
being intertered with on account of his
politics. Hack worth's and Schuetze's
regulations were not good He knew OF
nothing against Moore, and believed him
to be good citizen. The thS6xMDn0risl-
lists, the witness bel elisx1S0nId still live
In Washington coInIy and peacefully
pursue their calling. IL in their places,
the witness would have left the county.
They were not liked and could not 90 in
good society. Although strong Repub-
lican, he believed In the white men hold
ing the offices, because the negroes were
too uneducated to rule.
Il. Reichardt, a business man of Bren-
ham ana Democrat, testified that Hack
worth and Schuetze would not pay their
debts. They were deeply in debt aud had
no business TO make any money out of.
They were not forced TO leave and could
still live there.
Billiards Blowing.